Was Big Bird an important part of your childhood?

“Sesame Street”, the beloved children’s television education show, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. A much-loved aspect of millions of childhoods, its November 10th birthday show attempted to stave off a mid-life crisis by featuring a special episode with First Lady Michelle Obama.

The iconic Muppet show has aired more than 4,000 episodes since it first debuted back in 1969, making it the longest-running children’s television program on the airwaves. The idea for “Sesame Street” was first hatched at a dinner party in 1969 that was hosted by its future co-creator, Joan Ganz Cooney. Two years and $8 million in grants later, Cooney formed the Children’s Television Workshop (now called Sesame Workshop, a non-profit educational organization).

The show, which combined Muppets, animation, and live action, was an instant hit with pre-schoolers and their families. By the 10th anniversary of the show in 1979, 9 million children under 6 years old were tuning in “Sesame Street” on a daily basis. Today, 8 million people in the United States watch the show each week. It’s aired in more than 140 countries around the world, and has received 118 Emmy Awards, more than any other television series.

How has “Sesame Street” managed to stay relevant for 40 years? Characters from the show are currently busy munching on tofu and practicing yoga. While the same rhymes and whimsical verses are still used, exercise and healthy eating are now stressed instead of tolerance and racial equality. The times have changed and the messages have shifted slightly, but the core themes have stayed the same: relationships and school readiness.

Like many past seasons that have focused on specific topics, this year’s theme will have a nature-oriented focus. The Muppets will help to encourage the protection of the environment by encouraging a series of hands-on outdoor activities in a two-year initiative called “My World is Green & Growing.”

Michelle Obama made her appearance half-way through the anniversary show, following an announcement for the letter of the day—H for hug and healthy. The First Lady planted vegetable seeds with Elmo and told a coalition of pre-schoolers that “Veggies taste so good when they come fresh from the garden, don’t they?” Check out a clip of Mrs. Obama planting Sesame Street garden below!

Other celebrity guests include NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, “Late Night” host Jimmy Fallon, actors Paul Rudd, Adam Sandler and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Do you have a favorite episode of “Sesame Street” that you’d like to share? Let us know how the show influenced your education!